Rotary fluid torque converter and coupling



Jam, 5, E94.,

R. J. MILLER 2,434,218

ROTARY FLUID TORQUE CONVERTER'ANDV COUPLING Filed Feb. 4, 1944 @fram/frPatented Jan. 6, 1948 Raymond J.- ltiiiler,Deti-oit. Mich., anignor toBendix Aviation Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of DelawareApplication February 4, 1944, serial No. 521,105 l 2 claim. l

This invention relates to transmissions, and more particularly to fluidtransmissions of the type generally known as fluid torque converters.

Broadly the invention comprehends an impeller for energizing fluid, aturbine for receivv ing energy from the fluid, and a reaction memberassociated with the impeller and turbine aucontrol Ithe reaction memberoi 'a fluid torque converter.

Another object of the invention isl to simplify and to increase theefficiency of the reaction member of a uid torque converter.

' Other objects and advantages of the invention will appearfrom thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawing forming apart of this specification, and in which- L The single figure is avertical longitudinal view of a fluid torque converter embodying theinvention.

Referring to the drawing for more specific details of the invention, I8represents a stationary frame having flxedly secured thereto a member I2providing in conjunction with the frame an annular iiu'id chamber |4connected as by a conduit i8 to a fluid pumping system, not shown.Asleeve I8 supported by the member i2 is internally slotted to provide achannel 28 terminating in a port 22 in the free end of the sleeve. Thechannel is covered by a tube 24 fitted tightly in the sleeve so as toprovide a communication between the annular chamber I4 and the dischargeport, 22.

A Arotatable housing 28 has oppositely disposed hubs 28 and 38. The hub28 receives a bearing 32 supported on the sleeve I8, anda retaining ring34 nxedly secured to the hub supports a duid seal 38 for inhibitingseepage of fluid from the housing 28 past the bearing 32. The hub 38 isinternally splined as indicated at 38 for the reception oi" adrivenshaft, not shown, and ilxedly secured to the hub is a bearing support 48for the reception of a bearing 42, the purpose of which will hereinafterappear. 1

A drive shaft 44 mounted on suitable bearing (Ol. 60-54l 2 not shown. isextended through the tube 24 in the sleeve I8 with suitable clearance toprovide an annular channel 48, the purpose of which will hereinafterappear. 'I'he shaft is splined as indicated at 48 for the reception of ahub 88 secured against displacement by a' retaining nut 82. The h ub hasan annular flange 84' for the reception of the bearing 42 and for thesupport of a fluid seal 88 tted between the hub and a flange 88 on thehub 38 for inhibiting seepage of fluid from the housing.

An impeller, indicated generally at 88, includes a web 82 supported onthe hub 88 splined to the drive shaft 44, and the web has arrangedthereon .a plurality of blades 84 supporting an inner shroud 88.

A turbine indicated generally at 68 cooperates with the impeller 88 andprovides in conjunction therewith a toroidal channel 18 for thecirculation loi' the fluid medium.' The turbine is of the three-stagetype. The rst stage includes two sets of vanes 12 and 14 secured to therotatable housing 28 in spaced relation to one another, and the vanessupport an inner shroud 18 cooperating with the inner shroud 88 of theimpeller. The second stage oi the turbine includes an inner shroud 18flxedly secured to the shroud 18, and the shroud 18 has arranged thereona plurality oi' vanes 88 supporting an outer shroud 82; and the thirdstage of the turbine includes a plurality oi vanes 84 secured to theinner shroud 18 and supporting an outer shroud `88 having secured to itsfree end a'ring 88 fitted in a-slot in the stationary sleeve `toeffectively connect the fluid passage 48 to the vortex chamber 18.

The stationary sleeve |8 has ilxedly secured thereon bearing races 88and 82; and the bearing race 88 has securedhereon a ring 84 havingtherein a plurality of spaced sockets 88 i'or the reception of balls onone end of toggles 88 held against displacement by a retainer |88suitably secured to the ring.V

A retractile reaction member, indicated generally at |82, forcooperation with the impeller and turbine includes a carrier |84 mountedfor rotation on the bearing 82. The carrier has a plurality of spacedsockets |88 for the reception of the balls on the other end of thetoggles 88,

The carrier supports a spider IIII having secured thereto outer shroudsH2 and IM, and arranged on these shrouds are spaced sets of reactionvanes Ill and IIB adapted to straddle the vanes 00 constituting thesecond stage of the turbine.

ing moment of the fluid; and the vanes IIB are also streamline, but havea relatively low lift so as to equalize the flow stream. v In a normaloperation, rotation of the impeller by force transmitted through thedrive,-

shaft I4 results in energization of the fluid in the toroidal channel10. The energy of the fluid i is received' by the respective vstages ofthe turbine 00 and the reaction member |02. This results in rotation ofthe turbine and the consequent transmission of force through the housing20 and the hub 30 to the driven shaft.

During this operation, the reaction vanes IIB and Il! remain in thetoroidal channel, due to the fluid flow impinging on the faces thereof.This effectively provides torque multiplication for the transmission.

Upon attaining a predetermined speed of the impeller and associatedturbine, the fluid flow in the toroidal channel changes, and the fluidimpinges on the backs of the reaction vanes -I I8 and H8, and thisresults in automatic movement of the reaction member |02 on the bearingrace 92. Because of the toggles 90, rotative movement of the reactionmember |02 induces proportionatesimultaneous axial movement thereof, andthis results in a withdrawal of the reaction vanes IIB and IIB from thetoroidal channel, whereupon, the transmission operates,

as a fluid coupling at approximately one t0 one ratio. When the reactionmember |02 is in a fully retracted position, the vanes IIB and H8 extendslightly into the toroidal channel so as to render the reaction unitcompletely responsive, at all times, to the forces of fluid reaction.

When increased torque is required, the direction of the fluid flow inthe toroidal channel again changes and the fluid impinges on the facesof the vanes III and I Il. This results in simultaneous rotative andaxial movement of the reaction member |02, and these movements or thereaction member resultin the introduction of the reaction vanes into thetoroidal channel. This completes the cycleof operation.

While this invention has been described in connection with certainspecific embodiments, the principle involved is susceptible of numerousother applications that will readily occur to persons skilled -in theart. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by thescope of the appended claims. n

Having thus described the various features of the invention, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A fluid transmission comprising an impeller and a turbine providingin conjunction with one another a channel for the circulation of a powertransmitting fluid, a fixed support, a reaction member movable on thesupport into and out of the channel as the result of reaction of thepower transmitting fluid., and a toggle pivotably attached to both thereaction member and the fixed support to effectively govern the reactionmember.

2. A fluid transmission comprising an impeller and a turbine providing afluid circuit in conjunction therewith, a fixed support, a reactionmember movable on the xed support, and a connecting link pivotablyattached to the ilxed support and connected to the reaction memberwhereby thelatter is moved in and out of the fluid circuit in responseto fluid reaction.

RAYMOND J. Mmrlaa.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS

